“It will allow the automatic placement of follow-up scans in precisely the same anatomical location, so the clinician can observe the smallest changes in the patient’s eyes as they age,” he added.

Lecturer at the Centre for Experimental Medicine at the university, Dr Ruth Hogg (pictured), said: “We are excited to include the Spectralis OCT angiography module in the NICOLA add-on studies to look at the microvasculature within the retina and choroid, non-invasively.

“These consist of a second visit by NICOLA participants on the basis of features we see in their main study visit, and will include a study of normal ageing, diabetes, aged-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.”

It is hoped that the data gathered in the study will provide a basis for future government policy to help Northern Ireland meet the demands of an ageing population.